SOTRAFA: NO VOLTAGE DIPS IN PLASTICS PRODUCTION PLANTS

Process description

Sotrafa S.A. is part of the Armando Álvarez group, and it is a leading company in the plastic materials transformation sector and specialises in the production of special plastics for agriculture, livestock farming and construction.

The problem

The continuous manufacturing process of the plastic rolls in the El Ejido plant in Almería, Spain, is very sensitive to fluctuations and variations in the voltage that supplies the systems, and can stop this process. The Sotrafa factory is in an area that is highly affected by voltage variations and dips.

The most critical part in the manufacturing process is when the polyethylene is hot and the plastic “BALLOON” is lifted several metres in height while it calls before the folding process. If an unplanned stoppage occurs at this time as a consequence of a voltage drop, the hot plastic balloon falls on the injector nozzles, which blocks them when it cools, which not only leads to production losses but several non-productive hours while the affected machinery is cleaned.

The solution

At the end of 2012, a 20 KV medium voltage 3.6 MW SET DVR was installed at the input to the electrical substation in such a way that the entire production process is protected and not affected by voltage variations and dips.

Description of the installed system

3.6 MW – 20 kV medium voltage SET DVR

Medium-Voltage Rectifier Transformers (20 kV-400 V)

Booster Transformer 20 kV

Medium-voltage switchgear